Queen's nephew Earl of Snowdon announces 'amicable divorce'
The Queen’s nephew, the Earl of Snowdon, is to divorce after more than 25 years of marriage.
David Armstong-Jones, the son of the late Princess Margaret, and his wife Serena confirmed their separation in a statement.
It’s the second royal divorce to be confirmed in less than a week, after the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips confirmed he and his wife Autumn had split up.
A spokesman for the Earl said: “The Earl and Countess of Snowdon have amicably agreed that their marriage has come to an end and that they shall be divorced.
“They ask that the press respect their privacy and that of their family.”
The Earl became the second Earl of Snowdon after his father, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, the photographer, died in 2017.
Princess Margaret, the Queen’s younger and only sister, died in 2002.
The second Earl married Serena, who became the Countess of Snowdon, in October 1993.
They have two children, Viscount Linley, Charles Armstrong-Jones and Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones.
Read more: Who are the Queen's grandchildren?
The Earl was educated at Buckingham Palace alongside his cousin Prince Andrew.
He went on to become a furniture maker and chairman of Christie’s. He is 21st in line to the throne.
He is also known by his professional name David Linley, and produces luxury British accessories. He has reportedly created the interiors for a number of exclusive central London homes.
According to the MailOnline, Serena is a distant cousin of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. She ran a shop which sold candles and soaps from Provence in France but it closed in 2014.
The family previously split their time between Gloucestershire, Provence and Chelsea in London.
Their daughter, Margarita, was a bridesmaid at Prince William and Catherine’s wedding in 2011, then aged eight.
Earlier in February, it was confirmed that Peter Phillips, the Queen’s oldest grandson, and his wife Autumn would divorce.
Phillips, 42, married Autumn in 2007 and the couple have two children, Savannah, nine and Isla, seven.
They said their split was “sad but amicable” adding it was the “the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship”.